Museum of Barbarism - Nicosia, Northern Cyprus

The Museum of Barbarism is not a museum. It is a run down house in a quiet suburb to the west of the Old City, on the Turkish-Cypriot side of Nicosia. Here, on 24 December 1963 a mother and her children were shot dead in their bath by EOKA (Cypriot Liberation Movement) gunmen (Greek Cypriots). The bloodstained bathtub is retained as one of the exhibits in this rather macabre and quite disgusting place. You can see bullet holes on the wall, and photos of Turkish Cypriots murdered in the villages of Agios Vasilios and Agios Sozomenos. Although these events really happened, this is one of the last bastions of the Turkish-Cypriot administration propaganda struggle against the Greek-Cypriots. Go only if you are interested in the recent Cypriot history and wish to better understand the use of symbols, propaganda, and history on the divided island. (Last visit 07/2002)

National Struggle Museum - Nicosia, Cyprus

This museum is for those interested in the recent history of the island. It displays documents, photos and other memorabilia from the bloody 1955-59 national liberation struggle against the British.

Cyprus Archaeological Museum - Nicosia, Cyprus

If there is one museum you want to visit in Nicosia, this is the one. Located at 1 Leoforos Mouseiou Street, this museum houses archaeological artifacts from all over the island. Some objects date back to the 8th millennium B.C.

Outside: just go inside, the building erected in 1883 is in need of renovation.

Inside: The collection is remarkable. Highlights include a display of terracotta figures from the 7-6 century B.C., coming from a castle in Northern Cyprus. Look out for the three limestone lions and two sphinxes found in Tamassos necropolis, which show a definite Egyptian influence and were discovered only in 1997. You can also see the famous statue Aphrodite of Soli, which is featured on tourist posters and on the 5 pound banknote. An enormous bronze statue of the Emperor Septimus Severus can hardly be overlooked. The rest is an abundant and impressive, but quite boring, exhibits of bowls, craters, and statuettes from Cyprus' archaeological past. A unique feature of the museum lies in the basement, where several graves rest in a dark cellar complete with skeletal remains and grave adornments that have been reconstructed. (Last visit 07/2002)